Table and top therefor



Feb. 9, 1932. E. F. KRAMM 1,844,582

TABLE'AND r01 THEREFdR Filed Sept. 4, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor (l) J GD Edward F: Kramm A llomey Patented Feb. 9, 1932 PATENT OFFICE EDWARD'F. KRAMM, OF ALPENA, MICHIGAN TABLE AND TOP THEREFOR Application filed September 4, 1930. Serial No. 479,774.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in tables, and has more particular reference to a top for the table.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a table equipped with a novel form of extensible top, whereby the top maybe readily extended to provide a relatively large top for the table, and whereby the topmay be readily folded to provide a relatively small top for the table.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved extensible top for tables, whereby when the parts of the table top are in folded position, the top of the table will present a neat and attractive appearance.

Other objects and advantages of theinvention will become more apparent during a study of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 isa side elevational view of the table, the top being shown in folded position Figure 2 is an end elevational view thereof, the top being shown in folded position.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevational View of the table, the top being shown in an unfolded or extended position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail view, partly in section, and partly in elevation, showing the manner in which the intermediate sections of the table top rest on the frame of the table, when the top is in an extended position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail view, in elevation, for more clearly illustrating the guide and retaining means for the intermediate sections of the table top, the said sections being shown in its position, relative to one of the horizontally movable end sections of the table top, when the top is in a folded position.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the table, the top of the same being shown in a folded position.

Figure 7 is a View similar to Figure 5, showing the relative position of the guide members when the intermediate section of the table top are in an extended position.

With reference more in detail to the drawings, Ihave shown a somewhat conventional type of table structure, which includes the usual frame that embodies the side members 1 and end members 2, as well as the supporting legs 3, which legs 3 are disposed at each corner of the frame.

The table top as comprehended by the present invention comprises an intermediate section 4, and a pair of end sections 5, the end sections 5 being of a length corresponding to the length of the section 4, whilethe combined width of the sections 5 is equal to the width of the section 4. When in a folded position, as suggested in Figures 2 and 6, the end sections 5 have their inner longitudinal edges arranged in abutting relation and the end sections are disposed beneath the intermediate section 4. When the table top is in an unfolded or extended position, the inner edges of the sections 5 abut the adjacent J longitudinal edges of the section 4, and the end sections 5 are arranged in the same horizontal plane with the intermediate section 4.

For movably securing the section 4 to the frame of the table, to each end member 2 of the frame are secured flange guide plates 6, that are anchored at their upper and lower ends to the end members 2 through any suitable means, such as suggested at 7. Slidably mounted for movement between the flanges of the guide plates 6 are angular shaped guide arms 8. The guide arms 8 have vertical end portions 9 that move vertically between the fianges of the plates 6, and have 0 pin and slot connections with the plates 6 as at 10. Each of the guide arms 6 has an upper end portion 11, secured to an adjacent edge of the top section 4, as at 12. The transverse ends of the sections 4 preferably extending beyond the end members 2 of the table frame, the intermediate portions of the arms 9 are suitably offset as suggested in Figure 4.

From the foregoing then, it will be seen that the section 4 is retained on the frame of the table against lateral movement with respect to the frame, but is permitted to be moved vertically relative to the table.

, Arranged adjacent each end of the table and. extending transversely thereof, are a plurality of horizontally disposed cleats,

which cleats are longitudinally spaced, there being preferably three of such cleats designated by the reference characters 13, 1 1 and respectively. The said cleats are secured to the side frame members 1, by any suitable means, such as designated generally by the reference character 16. The cleats, at each end of the table forms therebetween what may be termed a pair of guide rails 17 and 18 respectively. Each of the sections 5, adjacent each end thereof has suitably s cured thereto as at 19, a transversely extending guide cleat 20, the said cleats at one end thereof projectinglaterally beyond the inner longitudinal edge of the table top section 5.

as suggested in Fi ure 6. The cleats 200i one of the table top sections 5 are adapted to operate in the rails 18, while the guide cleats of the other of the table top sections are adapted to operate in the guide rail 17. Of course the side members 1 of the table frame have those portions thereof opposite the ends of the rails 17 and 18 suitably cut away for accommodating the guide cleats 20. 1

From the foregoin then, it willbe seen that when the table top is in a folded position, the sections 5 have their inner longitudinal edges arranged in abutting relation, and these sections are disposed entirely beneath the intermediate top section 4. Toextend or unfold the table top, it is apparent that the sections 5 are pulled outwardly on a horizontar plane, laterally with respect to the table and in opposite directions with respect to one another. -Vi hen the inner edges of the sections 5 have been pulled out sufiiciently so that said inner edges are moved completely from under the intermediate section 4, the said intermediat section at will drop downwardly or vertically to rest on the upper edges of the members'1 and 2 of thetable frame, and when in such position, it will then be seen that as shown in Figure 3, the sections 4 and 5 are all arranged in a horizontal plane. The end sections 5 may then be fed inwardly toward the intermediate sections 4:, so that the inner edges of the sections 5will abut the adjacent longitudinal edges of the sections 4:, and the table top is now in a completely extended position. v

If desired, the guide teeth 20 of the respective sections 5 may have, and preferably do have the tongue and groove connections 21, with the cleats 13, 14: and 15 as suggested in Figure 1.

From the foregoing then, it will be seen that I have provided a table, wherein the top thereof may be readily folded to provide a relatively small compact top for the table, and may be readily extended to provide a relatively large top forthe table.

Even though T have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible to changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An extensible table including in combination a top and a supporting frame therefor, a guide plate fixedly mounted on the frame, a guide arm secured at one end to the top and having the free end thereof slidably engaging said plate, said plate provided with means embracing said free end of the arm to prevent lateral and longitudinal shifting movement of the top relative to the frame while permitting vertical movement of the top relative to the frame, and said plate and guide arm provided with cooperating means for limiting vertical movement of the guide arm relative to the plate.

2. An extensible table comprising in combination a frame and a table top supported thereby, a guide plate fixedly secured to the frame and provided with a pair of oppositely disposed flanges each of which is provided with a groove on the inner side thereof, a guide arm secured to the top and having a portion slidable between said flanges with the edges of said portions slidably mounted in said grooves.

.3. An extensible table comprising in combination a frame and a table top supported thereby, a guide plate fixedly secured to the frame and provided with a pair of oppositely disposed'fiang'es each of which is provided with a groove on the inner side thereof, a guide arm secured to the top and having a portion slidable between said flanges with the edges of said portions slidably mounted in the grooves, and bolt and slot means operatively connecting said portion of said arm and said plate to thereby limit shiftable movement of the arm relative to said plate.

In testimony whereof I affix-1 my signature.

EDWARD F. KRAMM.

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